Movies

Hallem Foe

Hallem Foe has not yet dealt with the loss of his mother. Hallem retreats to the forest grounds of family estate, spying on locals and trys best to avoid his new stepmother. When events force him to escape to London, he begins following a girl who is a near double for his mother.

Jaime Bell is well living up to the promise shown in Dear Wendy, once again he is obsessive and creepy here, yet undeniably sweet. Sophie Myles should really have more work in film as she is a very talented actress. Claire Forlani is great here as Hallem's stepmother , who whilst antagonistic still is a bit of a mystery.

David Mackenzie and his cinematographer Giles Nuttgens do a great job of making the rooftops of London comparable to the forests that Hallem stalks around. The story is such that you can't really see the next move coming.

A original, intriguingly different and enjoyable movie which a nice antidote to this blockbuster summer.

Breach

Based on real life events, Breach tells the tale of an ambitious young man within the the FBI sent to spy on one of their own. He is to work for a respected expert on Soviet Intel in order to catch him in the act of selling secrets.

Chris Cooper is brilliant here as a character who is full of wonderful contradictions. In one hand a religious, ultraconservative family man who is dedicated to the FBI and its security. On the other hand a secret selling traitor to his country, with some sexual fetishes including quite a liking for Catherine Zeta Jones. Ryan Phillippe is consistently good throughout and Linney is perfect as the 'FBI Lifer' Agent Burroughs.

Billy Ray puts on a slow boiling thriller here with plenty of tense scenes where O'Neill and The Bureau may be caught in the act. This said,maybe the ending could have been bigger but it may be that in this case its more historically accurate.

This is a tense pot boiler of a movie with some brilliant central performances.

Year of the Dog

Peggy doesn't have much of her own life, a likable sounding board for her family, friends and boss, all she really has is her dog, Pencil. When Pencil dies mysteriously, Peggy finds that she needs to find passion and direction in her life.

Comedienne / Actress Shannon is brilliant here as an older woman who has devoted herself to something which is now gone and lost due to that fact. Of particularly note here in support are Laura Dern as her unlikable sister-in-law and the always enjoyable Regina King as her best friend. Writer - Director Mike White (previously known for writing and starring in The School of Rock ) doesn't take any easy roads in this film. The result is challenging, yet if you can stick with it ultimately rewarding.

Year of the Dog is a wonderfully worthy bittersweet tale but it may not be for everyone.

Knocked Up

Slacker Ben Stone and media career girl Alison Scott are a unlikely pairing. So when a misunderstanding over the proper use of protection during a drunken one night stand leads to pregnancy, they have to find out if they have a relationship to build, All whilst dealing with the responsibility of impending Parenthood.

Seth Rogen is a joy to behold in this his breakout movie role (previously seen as the sarcastic friend in Judd Apatow's underrated tv series' Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared and in his 2005 movie The 40 year old Virgin). He plays the lazy yet lovable and well intentioned guy who just can't seem to exit his safe zone for the girl and his offspring. Heigl is also very good not only in the drama department but proves herself quite the comic actress. Paul Rudd and (directors real life spouse) Leslie Mann are also great as the older couple who still don't have the perfect relationship. There's also some very nice cameos from Alan Tudyk, Kirsten Wiig and Harold Ramis.

Judd Apatow here, as with 40 year old Virgin before it, has made a movie that moves between boys own comedy and truthful drama so easily your never sure what you're watching. As in that case rather than being jarring, it is a incredibly enjoyable watch. Even the slightly unnecessary scenes like Rogen and Rudd's Vegas trip are easy and likable to sit through.

Knocked Up is a film that delivers more than you expect, a funny and heartfelt story that will be enjoyable in practically any adult company. A crowning achievement.

The Bourne Ultimatum

Bourne is on a mission to uncover the secrets behind who he is and what he's done. This time when he discovers a clue thanks to a british reporter, the shadowy figures from his past catch up with him and this time they're playing for keeps.

Matt Damon here is on top form as the amnesiac bogeyman, guilty and unsure of the killing machine he has become. He also once again proves himself an action hero despite his everyman looks as the extensive training in the martial arts has well payed off. Joan Allen is once again superb as the ballsy CIA section chief, Pamela Landy.

Paul Greengrass (who also directed 2004's Bourne Supremacy) plays a blinder here in this third outing for Bourne. The movie is all but continuous action set pieces with just enough room for plot and to let the audience hyperventilate as they come up for air. The action sequences are incredibly shot and very intense, if a little jarring at times and slightly reminiscent of previous installments.

A brilliantly fast paced, mile a minute addition to the Bourne Saga and action/suspense movies in general.

License to Wed

Ben Murphy and Sadie Jones have had a whirlwind romance and when Ben decides to 'drop the question' all is well in the world when Sadie agrees to marry him. That is until their choice in church enrolls them in Reverend Frank's Marriage Preparation Course.

Despite her penchant for cute deer caught in the headlights acting (that would work better in a broader comedy like her recent role in TV's Scrubs), Moore and her partner, John Krasinski of The Office US are a very likeable pairing. Williams here shows exactly why his sense of humour would suit a edgier movie as he obviously had to rein himself in for this. The plot is basically the same as the much better, Anger Management with rage replaced with honest communication pending great commitment.

An enjoyable if very pedestrian movie which is probably best left for a lazy weekend rental.

Seraphim Falls

In the post civil war west, loner Gideon is about to have his past violently catch up with him. A man with a grudge and posse of mercenaries are after him. Before this business is over both men will learn you can never turn your back on your past.

Pierce Brosnan is at his acting best here, not relying on his charm as usual (for the first 20 plus minutes he doesn't even have any dialogue and is pretty taciturn and deliberate from there on). Neeson is as usual on top form portraying a once good man made bitter and vengeful from grief.

The scenery is beautifully shot and the desert scenes portray the heat and barren nature perfectly. Whilst being an interesting angle, the Greek Myth and or Christian imagery in the last half hour may be a little on the heavy side.

Even though it won't beat the likes of Unforgiven or Open Range, this is a quality contemporary western with some nice new ideas. Well worth a watch.

Evan Almighty

Evan Baxter has just been elected a US senator and claimed he would change the world. Yet the world he is living in is about change for the weird as God is on hand to make him keep that promise. "Build an Ark" he says "There's a flood coming".

Steve Carell takes over the reins here in this sequel / spin-off to 2003's Jim Carrey vehicle 'Bruce Almighty'. It is the likability that he imbues the main character that keeps this movie, which is really more situation than comedy, dare I say afloat. On hand for comic value are his assistants John Michael Higgins, the acerbic Wanda Sykes and newcomer Jonah Hill (who is set to breakout big time in the following year). John Goodman is also very good as the corrupt Senator Long.

The movie sets a nice if a little slow pace. The computer animation is very well done and nicely integrated into the movie.

Overall whilst nothing special, Evan Almighty is an enjoyable summer family movie.

Hipple Street unveiled their new single Naturally in Harmony on the 18th July with a launch party in Capel Streets Bleu Note Bar. Naturally in Harmony is the second single from the funky Dublin four-piece. The band hit the top 30 last year with their debut EP and could quite possibly be the next big Irish export. Devoid of pretension they produce polished pop gems that one would expect to emerge from sunny west-coast California then from drizzly Dublin.

The band played 12 song set in two halves, opening and closing the set with stonking alternate versions of their debut hit, last years Inspector Rita. The band is capably fronted by Neil Byrne (Guitar and Vocals) and Nigel Wheatley (Bass, Vocals and funky shapes) with Andrew O’Duffy on keys and James Kinsella (Drums and Percussion). Citing influences of Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, George Benson and Stevie Wonder, the bands own blend of pop, funk and classic rock is utterly infectious. The slick production of their recent recordings transferred almost entirely to the stage whipping up a gentle happy-storm in the Bleu Note. If I had a complaint it would be that the mix all but buried the keys and didn’t lend itself to some of the harmonies that create that compulsive Hipple Street vibe.

With covers of tracks by Mika, George Benson and Stevie Wonder sitting very comfortably with the bands own material, the future for Hipple Street can be nothing but bright and shiny.

Just when you thought that summer had passed us by Hipple Street provide us with phonic sunshine via this cool, funky follow up to their Inspector Rita which breezed into the top thirty last year. Drenched in the bands trademark harmony and smooth vocals this track begs for repeated listens. Hipple Street are fast becoming the forerunners of melodic Irish pop. These guys can write a hook with sharp edge that will penetrate your brain on first listen.

As an additional bonus for those who buy the CD single get the added treasure of the fantastic One Day which no doubt was a contender for release in it’s own right.